Augustyniak Insurance News

Top 5 Driving Mistakes

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:20:07 GMT

Keep your teenagers and employees safe. Review with them these 5 common mistakes made by drivers on the road today!

1. Tailgating
Leave a three-second cushion between you and the vehicle in front of you. Leave even more time when road conditions are bad or when you're travelling at higher speeds.

2. Stopping Instead of Yielding
Accidents can happen when drivers stop at a yield sign. "Yield" simply means to slow down and let the traffic on the road you are entering have the right of way. Most times, this is possible without coming to a stop.

3. Trusting Mirrors Instead of Your Eyes
Relying on mirrors can cause blind spots. Whether backing up or switching lanes, always look over your shoulder. And remember, objects in your mirror are closer than they appear.

4. Failing to Yield on Green
Even though a green light means "GO," always remember to look at the street you are entering—especially when turning left—to make sure no pedestrians or vehicles are in your path.

5. Multi-Tasking
Drivers are distracted by just about anything these days—including the radio, eating and using the phone. Focus on driving and turn off all gadgets when you turn the key.
Be a safe driver.

Looking for car insurance in Jacksonville? Call us at 268-3106 or visit our website and we'll shop your insurance for you!

Should Florida Ban Texting & Driving?

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:58:58 GMT

Should Florida Ban Texting and Driving?

As of Feb 2012, there are 35 states that have outlawed texting and driving, but Florida isn't one of them.

Right now the Florida legislature is considering passing a bill to outlaw this. However, the legislature has been hostile to anti-texting bills in the past. The reason generally given is that it is an intrusion into people's lives. A Senate bill has zipped through this season, but the House Bill has stalled. Florida's Governor Scott has not determined which side of the debate he falls on. Both bills would make texting subject to secondary enforcement, meaning police could cite drivers for it only if they had been pulled over for another violation such as speeding.

To read the full insurance Journal article, click here.

Do you think Florida should Ban Texting and Driving?

Looking for car insurance in Jacksonville? Call us and we'll shop your insurance for you!

Prepare for Bad Weather Before You Hit the Road

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:30:59 GMT

Bad weather is the enemy of every driver in Florida. Augustyniak Insurance Group wants you and your employees to be safe. And better safety means preventing auto accidents and lowering your Jacksonville FL auto insurance rates! These tips are great whether you have a commercial auto fleet or just a driveway full of cars!

Are you satisfied that your vehicle and all of its components are in good working condition? Even if you are, bad weather demands that you take a few more precautions before hitting the road. Every few months, especially as the winter months approach, check the following items.

Here are the top 10 tips to help you keep you and your family and employees safe!

Battery: Does it need to be charged or replaced? Cold weather puts extra strain on a battery. Always keep jumper cables in your vehicle.

Brakes: Are they properly adjusted? Should they be replaced? Good brakes are more important than ever during the rain. If you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), make sure it is working.

Cooling system: Be sure the cooling system is free from leaks. Should it be flushed and refilled?

Defroster: Are the defroster and heater working properly? Make sure they can keep the interior from fogging and the windshield free from ice that may build up early in the morning.

Engine: Have you had a recent tune-up? This is a must in cold weather to prevent slow starts and stalling.

Exhaust System: Check to make sure the muffler and exhaust pipe are free from leaks. Carbon monoxide from a faulty exhaust system can threaten your life.

Lights: Keep all lights clean and working properly (high and low-beam headlights, taillights, brake lights, directional signals).

Restraints: Keep the seatbelts clean and accessible, and be sure to use them. Restraints can keep you behind the wheel and in control if the vehicle suddenly skids.

Tires: Are they properly inflated? Are treads in good condition and wheels aligned and balanced?

Windshield Wipers and Washer: Keep wiper blades in good condition and be sure they are set at the proper pressure.

Augustyniak Insurance can provide you with tools for fleet driving training and additional information to help reduce crashes in everyday driving. Just give us a call at 904-268-3106 or visit www.WeShopInsurance.com today!

7 Ways to save money on your Home Insurance Policy - Tip #4

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:48:00 GMT

What’s considered personal property? Personal property are items you take with you when you move from house to house…. Clothes, TV, electronics, furniture, pots and pans, (the things you put in the moving truck). Personal property you own can be covered under a Florida home owners policy (Coverage C- Personal Property). In addition to how much your chose to buy for these items you can select from two choices on how to cover personal property –actual cash value and replacement cost (the better of the two).

Our first recommendation is too look around and add up how much you personal property (contents) you have in your home. You may be paying too uch for home insurance Jacksonville, simply because you are overinsuring your personal property. This website can help you determine how much you should cover.

The second recommendation that we have is to know the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost. Actual cash-value coverage reimburses you for the cost of your damaged property at the time of the claim, minus depreciation for the fact that your items are used. Replacement cost coverage reimburses you for the cost of you a brand new item that is just like the damaged item. Actual cash value policy can result in a lower claim payout than you expect. Here’s a real life example: You purchased a brand new couch for $1,000 five years ago. Actual Cash value coverage, takes into account that the couch has been used for five years, and it will pay for the value of a five year old used couch. Most of the time no where near the $1,000 that it would cost to go buy another one. On the other hand, Replacement cost on your couch, will give you exactly enough money to go and buy a brand new same brand name couch without any consideration that the one damaged is used. It generally will pay the $1,000. Replacement cost coverage will reimburse the full value of an item based on the cost of purchasing a new one.

Now which one is a better value for you? If you are only concerned about insuring your home because money is tight and the bank is getting ready to force place coverage, or if you would never replace the items if it gets damaged – then go ahead and consider a actual cash value policy. We always recommend that you select replacement Cost on your contents home policy in Orlando. The upfront cost is greater on a replacement cost, but you are more likely to receive accurate compensation for your possessions. Replacement Cost feature will be a much better value in the long run.

7 Ways to save money on your Home Insurance Policy - Tip #3

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 18:53:00 GMT

Florida Home Insurance Jacksonville can get expensive each year. But, here is an easy money saving tip. This one is pretty straight forward. Increase your deductible.? Homeowners insurance is expensive and for some homes right on the beach or in sinkhole prone areas, it can be down right difficult to find insurance.

First, we recommend that you don't turn in small claims to any Florida insurance company. Because, once you do, many companies will raise the premium after you file a claim. The money you get back should be more than you will pay in increased premiums. So, if you aren't going to turn in a small claim, you should increase your deductible. We recommend that claims less than $1000 you consider making the repairs your self - it will often be less expensive in the long run.

There are typically two types of deductibles in Florida - your deductible (called your all other peril deductible and hurricane deductible. While you can still purchase a $500 all other peril deductible, we recommend a minimum of a $1,000 deductible. This is because, if you stay claims free for 2 years, the $1000 deductible often pays for itself in savings. Other deductibles can be obtained at $2,500 or $5,000. This deductible applies to all covered claims, except, hurricane claims.

The second type is your Hurricane deductible. This is a deductible that applies if a named hurricane causes damage your home. This means it has to be a named storm - like Andrew, Charley, Katrina, etc. (You can track these types of storms through the National hurricane center.) For damage caused from named storms, for your homeowners insurance you can choose a 2%, 5%, or 10% hurricane deductible. This is a % of the total amount of insurance - not the total claim. For example, if your home is insured for $100,000 and you have a 2% hurricane deductible, the actual dollar amount of your deductible is $2,000. Most of the time, customers purchase a 2% hurricane deductible, but savings can be obtained with a 5% or 10%.

At Augustyniak Insurance Group, we can compare many different companies' home insurance Jacksonville policies, so you can lessen the amount of time you spend shopping, plus we give you free expert advice and quotes on the different prices associated with different deductible choices for your home insurance Jacksonville, home insurance Daytona Beach, home insurance Orlando, and home insurance Ponte Vedra Beach.

7 Ways to save money on your Home Owners Insurance Policy - Tip #2

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:52:00 GMT

Whether you like it or not, your credit rating can affect how much you pay for a Florida home insurance policy.? Several companies give significant discounts (up to 20%) of your total policy costs for having superior credit.? We recommend that your work to keep and maintain a good credit score. Anything you can do to increase your credit score can lower your costs of insurance. Here's a great video explanation from the Insurance Information Institute. Secondly, often times two people (husband-wife, significant others ) own a property together. Tell your insurance agent which of the property owners has better credit.? Usually, credit is only run on one person. So, it make sense when you are shopping to run credit on the person with the better credit.

Many times people are concerned that shopping for insurance will lower you Beacon score. The insurance industry runs a soft hit on your credit. This generally does not lower your credit score as it is an inquiry only rather than applying for a new line of new credit. Talk to us. If you let us know which person has the best credit, we can work with you to get the most favorable rate for your home insurance Jacksonville policy or your Florida home insurance policy.

At Augustyniak Insurance Group, we can compare many different companies policies, so you can lessen the amount of time you spend shopping, plus we give you free expert advice and quotes on the different prices associated with different deductible choices for your home insurance Jacksonville, home insurance Daytona Beach, home insurance Orlando, and home insurance Orange Park, and home insurance Ponte Vedra Beach.

Save $$ on your Home Insurance Policy - Tip #1

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 17:49:00 GMT

If there is one thing we all agree on, Home Insurance in Florida is expensive. Why? Well, we are surrounded with water on 3 sides. This makes us an easy target for hurricanes! While you can't control hurricanes, you can manage the cost of your homeowners insurance policy ...

Tip #1- Insure your home to Replacement Cost

This is NOT how much you paid for the house, the loan value, or the current market value of the home. It's the cost a builder would charge you to rebuild your house, if it were totally destroyed. The insurance term for this is Replacement Cost.

Many times people have let their insurance policy automatically renew. They never look at it again, after they buy it! Every year your home insurance coverage can creep up and pretty soon, you have way too much insurance! Don't let that happen to you!

If you haven't reviewed your insurance policy, it's time to go find it, take it out and look at it! As a homeowner, your home is probably your most valuable asset, making your home insurance policy your best safeguard against a terrible financial loss.

If you don't know the cost to rebuild your home, we can help you determine the cost to rebuild for FREE! We will ask you several questions about your home and it's features, and we can recommend an amount of insurance for your individual home. If you are the type that like Buts to figure things out yourself, check out www.accucoverage.com. But wieher way, Find out how much it costs to rebuild your home.

One word of caution when comparing rates on your home insurance quotes, a whopping 2 out of every 3 homes are underinsured by Marshall & Swift? Don't pay all that insurance premium AND then find out you don't have enough insurance.... after the claim!

Talk to us, we have a plan to help you control costs. So, if you want an expert agent who will provide absolutely Free advice, please call the Augustyniak Insurance at 904-268-3106 or visit us at www.WeShopInsurance.com

We look forward to answering any of your questions, or you can learn more about getting a Jacksonville FL Home Insurance Quotes. We will keep you well protected for a lot less money... When we shop, you save! Stay tuned for 6 more tips on how to save money on Jacksonville Home Insurance and Florida Home Insurance.

Don't forget, we will review your current Jacksonville FL Home Insurance, Orlando FL Home Insurance, Ponte Vedra Beach FL Home Insurance, Daytona Beach FL Homeowners Insurance free of charge and give you money saving tips customized just for you!